Time Flies
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
Keith
It’s Sunday and our final day together in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. 😭
Our wonderful home-away-from-home in Speyside was in the countryside just outside the town of Keith.
In honor of Amanda’s dad we spent Sunday morning exploring a town whose name holds such meaning and significance for us.
The Langstaffs pay tribute.
The motto on the Coat of Arms “Fortiter et Suaviter” translates as “Boldly and Gently.”
The name Keith translated from the Gaelic means “wind” or “pure air.”
The charming and idyllic high street.
So close…and in the city of Keith no less.
The charming pagodas of Strathisla Distillery in Keith.
A genuine watermill.
Like Jeff said, “Who is this Glen character?”
The Glen Keith Distillery was built between 1957-60 by Seagram. In 1994, its 10-year-old expression was released; however, the distillery was mothballed 5 years later in 1999. It reopened under Pernod Ricard in 2013, but as a blending facility.
Essentially, the bottles you are looking at above are exceptionally rare.
If you’re wondering the bottles are on sale for (left to right): $608, $222, & $464.
Outside of the Strathisla facility (which now owns the Glen Keith Distillery blending facility), it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see a bottle of Glen Keith whisky.
Glen Keith Logo
The Glen Keith Distillery is built on the banks of the River Isla, beside a deep pool of water—known in Gaelic as Linne a Bhradan or “the leap of the salmon.”
Amanda and Madi on the Keith Old Bridge over the River Isla, Moray.
Steve, Amanda, & Madi on the Keith Old Bridge with the Old Keith Burial Ground & Cemetery behind.
The Keith and Dufftown railway station with the spires of St Rufus Church standing sentinel.
It was wonderful walking around town and seeing the name Keith around every bend and corner.
Huntly Castle
Jeff and Madi wanted to visit a castle, so we paid nearby Huntly Castle a visit.
Jeff’s first visit to a real Garderobe (“Gardyloo!”).
Another huge fireplace!
Separate Directions
Our six days together passed in a flash! Tuesday through Sunday—whoosh! Jeff and Madi, we’re so grateful for the special time we had together. The sights, sounds, and tastes of Scotland will last a lifetime—a wonderful experience we will always share and remember fondly forever! Safe onward journeys and we know you’re going to absolutely love Edinburgh. Make the most of your time there, for it too shall be the stuff of great memories before you know it.
Carpe diem &
Vouloir c’est pouvoir!
We love you both so much!
Farewell Speyside
Driving away on Monday—we bid a fond farewell to the Mill of Davidston house. The four of us had such great times in this wee country house! ❤️
The Old Bridge of Livet—In its original form, the Bridge of Livet spanned the River Livet in three graceful arches. Sadly, the arch on the left bank was lost during flooding in 1829. The bridge likely dates from the 16th century.
Old Packhorse Bridge
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the inconvenience of both travelers and local people, there was no point at which the River Dulain could be crossed when it was flooding. Among other problems, burials at the Church of Duthil were often delayed.
Brigadier General Alexander Grant of Grant, Clan Chief, commissioned John Niccelsone, a mason from Ballindalloch, to build a bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney in 1717.
Its parapets and side walls were badly damaged in the 18th century and again in the infamous flood of August 1829, giving the appearance it still has today.
